Any artist who can strike Vincent van Gogh “dumb with admiration” is definitely worth a closer look!

Howard Pyle (1853-1911) is the father of American illustration, and although a Wilmington native, had a huge impact on the arts and artists of Philadelphia. Born in Wilmington in 1853, Pyle was already a successful illustrator and author when he moved to Philadelphia in 1894. His medieval-inspired illustrations had won the admiration of van Gogh and William Morris, and were not only used to illustrate his own books, but were frequently used to illustrate stories in magazines, such as those published by Philadelphia’s Curtis Publishing – home of The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, etc..

His first illustrations were in black and white, but changing technology later allowed for color illustration.

Hollywood can thank Pyle for popularizing the modern, romantic image of pirates.

In Philadelphia, he taught illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry (now Drexel University). Drexel was opened in 1891 as a school for practical arts and sciences, with a mission to teach employable skills to both men and women – hence a program in illustration, rather than fine arts. The ornate building where Pyle taught is still used by Drexel, and today houses a small museum in addition to classrooms and administration.

Here he taught students such as Maxfield Parrish (whose work was used by Tiffany to create this mosaic mural for the Curtis Publishing building in Philly A Secret Tiffany Masterpiece):

and Violet Oakley (these are from the Pennsylvania Statehouse):

In 1900, Pyle opened his own school in Wilmington where he taught a small number of students, such as NC Wyeth, and began what is now termed the Brandywine school. Although sold after Pyle’s death, his school continues today as an art studio.

In 1903, in an attempt to enter the growing market for public murals, Pyle painted these murals which hung in his Wilmington home. Today they are housed at the Delaware Art Museum which was originally founded to preserve Pyle’s work.

Along with objects from his studio, the museum houses an extensive collection of his and his students’ work.

While at the museum, be sure to check out the collection of Pre-Raphaelites (including these amazing Wally birds):

and works by Wilmington native, WPA alumnus, and Barnes-trained Edward Loper (whose works once hung in Joe Biden’s Washington VP house):

A short drive away is the 1950 Wright-influenced home Loper built with proceeds from winning an art competition. It’s no longer in the family, but is still privately owned (although I don’t know if the wall mural he painted is still inside… I didn’t have the courage to knock and ask!).